If you can find a source, saddle soap is the cleaning product to use with leather. Most shoe stores sell it and any retailer who sells leather products should have it. Mine is in a tin similar to a paste shoe polish tin. Moisten a rag with water, mix it into the saddle soap paste and then apply to the leather. Once it dries, rub or buff it off to a nice luster. I seem to think that it comes in a liquid form, as well.

The thing to consider with leather is to never use a product that will dry the leather. That's why I, personally, would not use Dawn...or any product with an alcohol base. But you can wipe the leather down with a damp cloth as long as you hand dry it once the moisture has been applied. Don't hang it out to dry...or leave it wet.

I, too, would want to get rid of any odor [perhaps a pesticide was used in the store] so I understand your desire to clean it. If you don't want to put the time into using the saddle soap...ask a good dry cleaner in your area whether they are equipped to clean it. Some cleaners aren't...so use caution. Many moons ago I lost a very high end suede pant suit to the ineptitude of my local dry cleaner so I learned from experience not to be so trusting.

Good luck....HTH.

Anne

I wouldn't use Dawn either. Years ago someone I know put Dawn dish soap on a grease spot on her hubbys uniform. It actually took the color out of it. The shirt was light blue but the spot was very light blue, almost white. Try Ivory maybe? But you have the right idea.....
Try white vinegar for the lining, just dont saturate it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cleaning leather coat and lining

I bought a beautiful leather coat for $5. but they want about $75 to clean it. I think I just wiped it down or used some freshener I can't remember but it doesn't smell or look dirty.

Our Goodwill store sprays all its clothes with Fabreze, which comes in big blue pump barrels. The odor should go away if you hang the jacket outdoors in the fresh air.

An update in case others have a similar problem. I cleaned the coat with saddle soap and it may have helped a little. The coat has been airing out in the laundry room and is getting a lot better. I can't smell it when I walk past now. Thanks for your help.

saddle soap is good which can be purchased at petsmart or pleaces like that or farm and horse supply stores.
Also good is Lexol you can usually buy it at those places also because it is very good for use on leather saddles and other leather products.
I used to do a lot of leather work and make leather clothing and jackets etc I used both of those products often.